tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post7631389077446436544..comments2015-08-02T13:39:29.464-04:00Comments on Gurney Journey: Animal Characters, 1: Anthropomorphic AbsurditiesJames Gurneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-81625087058852058522008-02-21T04:03:00.000-05:002008-02-21T04:03:00.000-05:00Elsie the Cow suffers from the character design pr...Elsie the Cow suffers from the character design problem I call the "mermaid conundrum": the idea of the slice-and-dice reassembly of human or animal parts to create a new entity.<BR/><BR/>In the character design course that I teach, we practice 'synthesis', a combination of human & animal/animal & animal traits into a new creature where there is a true blending of anatomy (along with color and texture)to achieve a viable, uniform design. This concept is appropriate for both realistic and 'cartoony' characters.Kevin Hedgpethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10854497303642372578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-14022769778993541152008-02-21T02:55:00.000-05:002008-02-21T02:55:00.000-05:00Umm, I agree that making a bird using his wings an...Umm, I agree that making a bird using his wings and feathers as arms and hands is an absurd, but it's also much more relatable than having them picking up stuff with their feet.<BR/><BR/>I was really impressed with the video you posted, and I actually just saw Alex on Youtube! Jesus Christ, what was that! Amazing!Ricardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05427737126479587421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-52000270729826417232008-02-20T17:33:00.000-05:002008-02-20T17:33:00.000-05:00It's almost scary if you think about the capabilit...It's almost scary if you think about the capabilites of a theropod. Especially Deinonychus and Troodon. I would definitely not like to be on their menu.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13141514622593774503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-34444059181106998642008-02-20T16:42:00.000-05:002008-02-20T16:42:00.000-05:00I agree, Michael. That video shows a genuine mind ...I agree, Michael. That video shows a genuine mind at work. Crows are amazing tool users--and tool builders, too. Even my little parakeet has a sense of humor and laughs derisively every time I drop a pencil or a paintbrush.<BR/><BR/>I recommend the new issue of National Geographic, which has a great article on animal cognition. The writer got to see the famous African grey parrot Alex before he died. His demonstrable knowledge of concepts like shape, color, similar, and different--not to mention a rich and creative vocabulary--has rocked the science of animal cognition.<BR/><BR/>Thomas, as you say, it makes you wonder what the brainer theropods might have been capable of.James Gurneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-70263848307546985842008-02-20T16:24:00.000-05:002008-02-20T16:24:00.000-05:00Absolutely amazing. (the video) Considering parrot...Absolutely amazing. (the video) Considering parrots can articulate humans sounds as well, perhaps they're more intelligent than many scientists give them credit for. (learned behavior and tool usage is something very few animals can do)Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13141514622593774503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-80624388995360165862008-02-20T08:37:00.000-05:002008-02-20T08:37:00.000-05:00You can almost see the relief in his eye. Notice ...You can almost see the relief in his eye. Notice how precise his scratching gets when going for his ear.<BR/> <BR/>I see that and wonder what a theropod could do.Thomashttp://digisaur.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-73019038642514096502008-02-20T08:01:00.000-05:002008-02-20T08:01:00.000-05:00I've thought of this myself, especially when compa...I've thought of this myself, especially when comparing Beatrix Potter to some of Disney's creations. I do a lot of animals in my work and I can't bring myself to draw anything other than a real animal, no matter how silly the drawing. I think sticking an animals head on a human body is pretty lazy. ( except of course, things like the Minatour, which seems to hinge on that impracticality and grotesqueness, which is something else entirely.)Eric Orchardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375615378259386972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-15733774824192242162008-02-20T07:17:00.000-05:002008-02-20T07:17:00.000-05:00Oh that will be very interesting! I was just askin...Oh that will be very interesting! I was just asking myself these questions for the umpteenth time as I am starting to work on a kids book with a bird as the main character.<BR/><BR/>Can't wait to read what you'll have to say.dragonladychhttp://dragonladych.livejournal.com/noreply@blogger.com